Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims gathered in a valley near the Saudi city of Mina on Sunday for the stoning of Satan, the last rite of the annual hajj. Due to past accidents, Saudi authorities have installed a multi-level walkway through the site.

So far this year, no major incidents have been reported among the more than 2.5 million pilgrims. "Things are going well and according to plans," interior ministry spokesman General Mansur al-Turki told AFP. A large security force monitored worshippers headed for the stoning after slaughtering sheep in a ritual for the Eid al-Adha.

After the stoning ceremony, the pilgrims go to Mecca's Great Mosque for a "farewell visit" to the Kaaba.

More than 1.83 million pilgrims have arrived in the kingdom from abroad, marking a 1.5 percent rise compared to last year, said Mecca governor Prince Khaled al-Faisal.